HSDPA CQI, ACK, NACK power offset known in node B in SRNC

ABSTRACT

High speed data packet access (HSDPA) is facilitated by ensuring that power offsets are delivered to the base station (Node B) so that the new functions envisioned therefor having to do with scheduling and retransmission handling can be carried out effectively. A signal primitive having one or more information elements indicative of corresponding power offsets are received by the Node B, saved for future use and then signalled back to the serving radio network controller so that the user equipment can be informed with a proper RRC message containing the appropriate power offsets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/434,413 filed May 8, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,343,172, from whichpriority is claimed under 35 USC § 119 to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/379,917 filed May 9, 2002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As an enhancement to the release99/release4 (rel99/rel4) downlink sharedchannel (DSCH) concept in the third generation partnership project(3GPP) shown in FIG. 1( a) it has been agreed to add a so-called HighSpeed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) concept as a part of the 3GPP rel5universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) architecture as shownin FIG. 1( b). In FIG. 1( a) the DSCH is transmitted on a downlinkPhysical Downlink Shared CHannel (PDSCH) 10. In principle, the new HSDPAconcept of FIG. 1( b) is an enhancement, because the leading idea in3GPP has been to make HSDPA as an evolution from the shared channelconcept not as a revolution. Therefore the defined solutions shouldresemble as much as possible the solutions which have already beendefined for the shared channels. The basic idea behind the HSDPA is tooffer a shared high speed channel with a higher data rate and a quickretransmission mechanism (i.e. with HARQ (=Hybrid Automatic RepeatRequest)) from Node B. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 1( b) to FIG. 1(a), the Node B is given more intelligence for the purpose of handlingretransmissions and scheduling functions, thus reducing the round tripdelay between the mobile device and the RNC formerly handlingretransmissions in FIG. 1( a). This makes retransmission combiningfeasible in the mobile device. In place of the variable spreading factorand fast power control used for the DSCH of FIG. 1( a), the HS-DSCH ofFIG. 1( b) uses adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) in addition to theHARQ. A much smaller transmission time interval (TTI) of twomilliseconds is also used instead of the 10 or 20 milliseconds of theDSCH. Also, the media access control (MAC) is located in the node Binstead of the RNC. The AMC part of HSDPA utilizes adaptation of coderate, the modulation scheme, the number of multi-codes employed, as wellas the transmit power per code. Even though many parameters are definedin the Radio Network Subsystem Application Part (RNSAP; see 3GPPTS25.423 v5.0.0) and Node B Application Part (NBAP; see 3GPP TS25.433v5.0.0) to support HSDPA, the HSDPA discussion is on-going in 3GPP andmany useful parameters are being added.

The user equipment is able to send a channel quality indicator (CQI) onthe uplink HS-DPCCH (high speed dedicated physical control channel). Itindicates the selected transport format resource combination (TFRC) andmulti-code number currently supported by the UE.

FIG. 2 shows a radio protocol architecture for HSDPA taken from FIG.5.1-1 of 3GPP TS 25.308 v5.2.0 (March 2002). According to thatspecification, the new functionalities of hybrid ARQ and HSDPAscheduling are included in the MAC layer. In the UTRAN these functionsare included in a new entity called MAC-hs located as shown in the NodeB in FIG. 2. The transport channel that the HSDPA functionality will useis called HS-DSCH (High Speed Downlink Shared Channel) and is controlledby the MAC-hs. The MAC protocol configuration shown is one of twopossible configurations on the UTRAN side presented in theaforementioned specification. The illustrated configuration is providedwith MAC-c/sh. In this case, the MAC-hs in Node B is located belowMAC-c/sh in the RNC. MAC-c/sh provides functions to HSDPA alreadyincluded for DSCH in the Release '99. The HS-DSCH FP (frame protocol)will handle the data transport from SRNC to CRNC (if the lur interfaceis involved) and between CRNC and the Node B. Another configurationwithout MAC-c/sh is possible. In that case (see FIG. 5.1-2 of theaforementioned specification, the CRNC does not have any user planefunction for the HS-DSCH. MAC-d in SRNC is located directly above MAC-hsin Node B, i.e. in the HS-DSCH user plane the SRNC is directly connectedto the Node B, thus bypassing the CRNC. Both configurations aretransparent to both the UE and Node B. FIG. 2 hereof shows therespective radio interface protocol architecture with terminationpoints. The same architecture supports both FDD and TDD modes ofoperation, though some details of the associated signaling for HS-DSCHare different.

FIG. 3 (see FIG. 6.2.2-1 of 3GPP TS 25.308 v5.2.0) shows UTRAN side MACarchitecture/MAC-c/sh details. The data for the HS-DSCH is subject toflow control between the serving and the drift RNC. A new flow controlfunction is included to support the data transfer between MAC-d andMAC-hs.

FIG. 4 shows UTRAN side MAC architecture/MAC-hs details (see FIG.6.2.3-1 of 3GPP TS 25.308 v5.2.0). According to section 6.2.3 of theaforementioned specification, the MAC-hs is responsible for handling thedata transmitted on the HS-DSCH. Furthermore it is its responsibility tomanage the physical resources allocated to HSDPA. MAC-hs receivesconfiguration parameters from the RRC layer via the MAC-Control SAP.There shall be priority handling per MAC-d PDU in the MAC-hs. The MAC-hsis comprised of four different functional entities:

Flow Control:

This is the companion flow control function to the flow control functionin the MAC-c/sh in case of Configuration with MAC-c/sh and MAC-d in caseof Configuration without MAC-c/sh. Both entities together provide acontrolled data flow between the MAC-c/sh and the MAC-hs (Configurationwith MAC-c/sh) or the MAC-d and MAC-hs (Configuration without MAC-c/sh)taking the transmission capabilities of the air interface into accountin a dynamic manner. This function is intended to limit layer 2signaling latency and reduce discarded and retransmitted data as aresult of HS-DSCH congestion. Flow control is provided independently bypriority class for each MAC-d flow.

Scheduling/Priority Handling:

This function manages HS-DSCH resources between HARQ entities and dataflows according to their priority class. Based on status reports fromassociated uplink signaling either new transmission or retransmission isdetermined. Further it sets the priority class identifier and TSN foreach new data block being serviced. To maintain proper transmissionpriority a new transmission can be initiated on a HARQ process at anytime. The TSN is unique to each priority class within a HS-DSCH, and isincremented for each new data block. It is not permitted to schedule newtransmissions, including retransmissions originating in the RLC layer,within the same TTI, along with retransmissions originating from theHARQ layer.

HARQ:

One HARQ entity handles the hybrid ARQ functionality for one user. OneHARQ entity is capable of supporting multiple instances (HARQ process)of stop and wait HARQ protocols. There shall be one HARQ process perTTI.

TFC Selection:

Selection of an appropriate transport format and resource combinationfor the data to be transmitted on HS-DSCH.

FIG. 1( c) shows further details of the proposed UTRAN side overall MACarchitecture including the new MAC-hs. MAC-hs provides the essentialfunctionalities to support HSDPA. MAC-hs has the scheduling function aswell as HARQ.

Currently in 3GPP, the SRNC is supposed to send the CQI Power Offset,ACK Power Offset and NACK Power Offset to the UE via RRC layer messages.The Power Offsets will be defined as relative to the DPCCH pilot bit.Then the UE will use these Power Offsets as follows:

When an uplink HS-DPCCH is active, the relative power offsetΔ_(HS-DPCCH) between the DPCCH and the HS-DPCCH for each HS-DPCCH slotshall be set as follows:

For HS-DPCCH Slots Carrying HARQ Acknowledgement:

-   Δ_(HS-DPCCH)=Δ_(ACK) if the corresponding HARQ Acknowledgement is    equal to 1-   Δ_(HS-DPCCH)=Δ_(NACK) if the corresponding HARQ Acknowledgement is    equal to 0    For HS-DPCCH Slots Carrying CQI:-   Δ_(HS-DPCCH)=Δ_(CQI)    The values for Δ_(ACK), Δ_(NACK) and Δ_(CQI) are set by higher    layers (RRC message). The quantization of the power offset can be    found in 3GPP TS 25.213 at Table 1A for instance.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

But in the current 3GPP specification, there is no means to deliverthese Power Offsets to Node B. Referring to FIGS. 1( c) and FIG. 2, theprior art Node B of FIG. 1( a) did not have the MAC-hs or complementaryHS-DSCH FP layers. If Node B were to know the CQI Power offset, which isan object of the present invention, the Node B receiver could utilizethis value for scaling the CQI signal. Scaling the CQI signal is relatedto the signal level setting, and is used typically in a digital baseband implementation, to avoid overflow (i.e. signaling saturation) orunderflow (i.e. quantization noise). In ASIC and DSP SW implementations,word length constraints are applied and signals must be scaledaccordingly to match with the processing word lengths. If the poweroffsets for multiple signals are not known by the Node B, as is the casenow, signal levels would have to be detected or alternatively in a worstcase the Node B receiver would have to be made available for a possiblemaximum range of each signal. Especially in this case, both fading onthe radio path and adaptation POs extend the required range. Signalingto Node B removes the later proportion for the required range.Therefore, if Node B knows the CQI Power Offset then it simplifiesreceiver implementation (i.e. when measuring DPCCH power level, CQIpower level can be calculated and Node B can adjust gains in thedifferent parts of receiver in a simple manner).

If Node B knows the ACK Power Offset and the NACK Power Offset, Node Bcan utilize these values to detect the ACK/NACK signal. For the ACK andNACK detection, the Node B receiver must also detect the 3^(rd) state,DTX (no signal). This requires setting signal detection thresholds. Thisdetection will be more accurate when it is set based on signaled POsthan when it is set based on measured offsets.

Since ACK/NACK is a level based detection, if Node B already knows thePOs of ACK/NACK, it can detect the signal easily.

If Node B knows the CQI Power Offset it can calculate the CQI power withDPCCH power, Node B doesn't need to measure the offset individually. Itcan make Node B receiver implementation easier.

If Power Offsets are not given by signaling, Node B is required tomeasure these Power Offsets individually. This is similar with betaparameters, which are given for DPCCH and for DPDCH, to indicate poweroffset between those two dedicated physical channels. Of course, inthese schemes, the Node B receiver must still detect the DPCCH level,which is the reference for all the Power Offsets, but it doesn't need todetect other signal levels (CQI's, ACKs & NACKs) individually for allmultiple signals and this reduces Node B work significantly.

Furthermore it is anticipated that giving Power Offsets to the Node Bwill make the standard further future-proof when supporting someinterference cancelling methods.

Currently, no description can be found from 3GPP specifications ortechnical reports about this problem and how to solve it. Therefore,there is no prior art recognition of the problem and consequently nosolution either. Without knowing the CQI Power Offset, ACK Power Offsetand NACK Power Offset, the Node B receiver has to search the signal forwhole possible ranges.

This invention introduces CQI Power Offset, ACK Power Offset and NACKPower Offset on RNSAP and NBAP signaling or HS-DSCH FP.

Since the object is for both the UE and Node B to know the same values,there are two possibilities during the RL setup phase:

-   (1) SRNC decides the Power Offsets and includes them in the RL SETUP    REQUEST message. SRNC also sends the same information to the UE with    a proper RRC message.-   (2) Node B decides the Power Offsets and includes them in the RL    SETUP RESPONSE message. And the SRNC sends the same Power Offsets to    the UE with the proper RRC message.    And, there are 3 possibilities to change the POs.-   1) SRNC decides to change the Power Offsets and include them in the    RL RECONFIGURATION PREPARE message. SRNC also sends the same    information to UE with proper RRC message.-   2) SRNC decides to change the Power Offsets and include them in the    RADIO INTERFACE PARAMETER UPDATE control frame (It should be noted    that the name of the control frame can be different than that). SRNC    also sends the same information to UE with proper RRC message.-   3) Node B decides to change the Power Offsets. In this case there is    no existing mechanism for Node B to initiate changing the Power    Offsets during the connection and there may be a need to define a    new procedure. Alternatively, it could be done in such a way that    the SRNC initiates Power Offsets change procedure (e.g. SHO case) by    sending an RL RECONFIGURATION PREPARE message with HO indication.    Then Node B decides new Power Offsets and sends them back in an RL    RECONFIGURATION READY message. SRNC also sends the same information    to UE with proper RRC message. The RL RECONFIGURATION PREPARE and RL    RECONFIGURATION message formats already exist and can be adapted to    the purposes of the invention.

Once Node B has the CQI Power Offset, ACK Power Offset and NACK PowerOffset, it will apply CQI Power Offset for CQI slot scaling and ACKPower Offset and NACK Power Offset for ACK and NACK slot detection.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of a best mode embodiment thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: UTRAN side overall MAC architecture showing the defined HSDPAnetwork architecture in 3GPP. The figure shows a new MAC-hs entity,which is connected, to the MAC-c/sh through lub-interface. The usedtransport channel under MAC-hs are HS-DSCH, which corresponds in rel99shared channel concept DSCH transport channel.

FIG. 2: Radio Interface Protocol Architecture of HSDPA. The definedprotocol stack defines the HS-DSCH FP protocol to provide the HSDPA FPdata frames through lub-interface.

FIG. 3: UTRAN side MAC architecture/MAC-c/sh details.

FIG. 4: UTRAN side MAC architecture/MAC-hs details.

FIG. 5: In case SRNC sets CQI PO, ACK PO and NACK PO—RL Setup Phase.

FIG. 6: In case Node B sets CQI PO, ACK PO and NACK PO—RL Setup Phase.

FIG. 7 a: In case SRNC decides to change the values of CQI PO, ACK POand NACK PO—Using Control Plane protocol.

FIG. 7 b: In case SRNC decides to change the values of CQI PO, ACK POand NACK PO—Using User Plane protocol.

FIG. 8: In case SRNC decides to change the values of CQI PO, ACK PO andNACK PO—Using User Plane protocol—Frame structure.

FIG. 9: In case Node B sets CQI PO, ACK PO and NACK PO—RL Setup Phase.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Abbreviations

-   CRNC Control RNC (network element)-   DPCCH Dedicated Physical Control Channel-   DPCH Dedicated Physical Channel-   DPDCH Dedicated Physical Data Channel-   DSCH Downlink Shared Channel (transport channel)-   FDD Frequency Division Duplex (operation mode)-   FP Frame Protocol-   HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (function)-   HO Hand Over-   HS-DSCH High Speed-Dedicated Shared Channel (transport channel)-   HS-PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel-   HS-SCCH Shared Control Channel for HS-DSCH-   HS-SICH Shared Info Channel for HS-DSCH-   HSDPA High Speed Downlink Packet Access (concept)-   MAC Medium Access Controller (protocol layer)-   MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme-   NBAP Node B Application Part-   PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel-   PO Power Offset-   RL Radio Link-   RLC Radio Link Control (protocol layer)-   RNC Radio Resource Controller (network element)-   RNSAP Radio Network Subsystem Application Part-   UE User Equipment (user device)

The power of the HS-DPCCH is set as a power offset (PO). These POs canbe defined as POs of the DPCH. In detail, they can be defined as POrelative to DPCCH pilot field. In addition, to guarantee fullcell-coverage a CQI repetition scheme can be used whereby periodic CQI'sare sent in the uplink HS-DPCCH. Node B then sends user data on theHS-DSCH according to its own schedule to the users using time and/orcode multiplexing to better utilize the available resources alsoconsidering UE capability. The Node B prenotifies the UEs of thetransport format and resource combination (TFRC), the multi-code set, aswell as the HARQ process control on the HS-SCCH two slots in advance ofthe HS-DSCH. After receiving the user data on HS-DSCH, the UE sends aCQI and/or ACK/NACK on the uplink HS-DPCCH as a feedback signal after averification time of several slots. Considering the foregoing,especially the new HSDPA-RRM entities (HRQ, packet scheduling, linkadaptation) in the Node B, it will be advantageous for the Node B toknow the CQI power offset and the POs of ACK/NACK as givens determinedeither by itself or by the RNSAP/NBAP of the RNC.

As described in the FIG. 5 and 6, during the RL Setup phase, there are 2possibilities for accomplishing this end from the outset:

-   (1) SRNC decides CQI PO, ACK PO and NACK PO-   (2) Node B decides CQI PO, ACK PO and NACK PO

In the first case, since SRNC knows the SHO status of UE, based on theSHO situation it can decide the CQI PO, ACK PO and NACK PO. In this caseSRNC will assign these POs in the RL Setup Request message during RLsetup phase. SRNC will send the same values to UE using proper RRCmessage.

The signaling flow for this example is described in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, aserving radio network controller (S-RNC) 500 provides an RL SETUPREQUEST message as a signal on a line 502 from a radio network subsystemapplication part (RNSAP) 504 to an RNSAP 506 of a drift radio networkcontroller (D-RNC) 508. The D-RNC 508 processes the RL SETUP REQUESTsignal received on the line 502 and provides said RL SETUP REQUESTsignal on a line 510 from a Node B application part (NBAP) 512 of theD-RNC 508 to an NBAP 514 of a Node B 516 under D-RNC 508. The RL SETUPREQUEST signal on the line 502 and on the line 510 may include one ormore power offset information elements including a CQI PO, an ACK PO anda NACK PO. In that case, the Node B 516 saves the POs for future use asindicated in a step 518. The step 518 should therefore be viewed as alsorepresentative of a memory within said Node B. The NBAP of Node B 516then sends an RL setup response message as a signal on a line 520 to theNBAP of the D-RNC 508. The D-RNC 508 then sends the RL setup responsesignal on a line 522 from its RNSAP to the RNSAP of the S-RNC 500. Aradio resource control (RRC) 524 of the S-RNC 500 then informs a UE 526with a proper RRC message signal on a line 528 which is received in thecorresponding RRC 530 of the UE 526. The RRC message includes the CQIPO, the ACK PO and the NACK PO for use by the UE in sending CQI's,NACK's and ACK's on the HS-DPCCH uplink to the Node B. Since the Node Bhas saved the POs for future use, and it therefore already knows thesePOs, it can use them in interpreting the CQI, ACK and NACK informationsent by the UE to the Node B without having to be in the dark, so tospeak. As can be seen by the illustration of FIG. 1( b) as compared tothat of FIG. 1( a), the process is made more efficient. It should berealized that a given S-RNC 500 may be in direct communication with anassociated Node B, and therefore the steps shown in FIG. 5 could becarried out without using the D-RNC 508 as an intermediary. For the sakeof completeness, however, FIG. 5 shows the possibility of using a D-RNCintermediate between the S-RNC and the Node B. Consequently, the RLsetup request signal on the line 502 can be sent directly to the Node B516 or via the D-RNC 508. Likewise, the signaling descriptions shown inFIGS. 6, 7A, 7B and 9 should also be understood in this way for signalsboth in the direction from the S-RNC toward the Node B and in thereverse direction.

In the second case, referring now to FIG. 6, since Node B knows HSDPArelated resource status and can be considered to have better knowledgeof HSDPA, it can decide the CQI PO, ACK PO and NACK PO. But in this caseNode B doesn't know whether it is in an HO situation or not. Thereforethe SRNC has to give the HO Indication. As described in FIG. 6, in an RLSetup Request message is sent by an S-RNC 600 by its RNSAP on a line 602to an RNSAP 604 of a D-RNC 606 and includes an HO Indication. An NBAP608 of the D-RNC 606 provides an RL SETUP REQUEST message as a signalwith the HO indication on a line 610 to an NBAP 612 of a Node B 614 ofthe D-RNC 606. The Node B 614 then decides the POs based on the HOindication and its own measurements and consequent decisions and savesthe POs for future use as indicated in a step 616. After that, the NBAPof the Node B 614 sends an RL setup response message as a signal withthe decided PO information elements on a line 618 to the NBAP of theD-RNC 606. The RNSAP of the D-RNC 606 then sends the RL setup responsemessage on a signal line 620 to the RNSAP of the S-RNC 600. An RRC 622of the S-RNC 600 then informs a UE 624 by means of a proper RRCprimitive message on a signal line 626 including the CQI, ACK and NACKPO information elements to an RRC 628 of the UE 624. The UE then usesthe PO information in setting the powers of the various CQI, ACK or NACKslots of its HS-DPCCH.

And if SRNC is the node to change the Power Offset values then it canuse the Synchronized RL Reconfiguration Procedure as described in FIG. 7a to change the POs, once established. One example of this case can bethe soft handover (SHO) situation. In an RL Reconfiguration Preparationmessage on a signal line 7 a 2, an RNSAP 7 a 4 of an SRNC 7 a 6 caninclude new CQI PO or/and ACK PO or/and NACK PO or/and and a Node B 7 a8 shall apply these new values. And if Node B can use the values it willreply with an RL Reconfiguration Ready primitive message on a line 7 a10 as a positive ACK. If Node B cannot use the values, then it willreply with RL Reconfiguration Failure message. In case of SRNCdetermination of Power Offsets, to change the POs, it is also possibleto use a user plane Frame Protocol (FP) as described in FIG. 7 b. Inthis case, in the FP, a proper control frame should be defined or used.For instance like in the DCH FP, it is desirable to define a RadioInterface Parameter Update control frame and deliver these POs in thiscontrol frame as shown for instance on a line 7 b 10 from an HS-DSCH FP7 b 12 of an S-RNC 7 b 14. An example of such a frame structure isdepicted in FIG. 8. The name of the control frame or the order of thefields can of course be different than that shown in FIG. 8. Theimportant point here is these Power Offsets can be delivered by a UPcontrol frame. In FIG. 8, the flag points to whether the correspondingPower Offsets are valid data or not. In the example, Flag bit 1indicates CQI PO, bit2 ACK PO and bit3 NACK PO. If the flag is 1 thenthe corresponding PO value is valid. Compared to using the controlplane, using the user plane is a rather lighter solution. But in thecase of using the user plane, the delivery cannot be guaranteed (Noresponse message). Therefore repeatedly sending the same control framemultiple times can be an option. This can make Node B receive the POswith higher probability.

If Node B is the node to change these POs and Node B is the node toinitiate a PO change procedure, a new message is needed to be definedfrom Node B to SRNC so that the new message can include new POs. Afterreceiving new POs, SRNC will forward these new POs to the UE. But ifNode B is the node to change these POs and SRNC is the node to initiatethe PO change procedure (e.g. SRNC changes the POs during SHO),Synchronized RL Reconfiguration Procedure can be used as describe inFIG. 9. SRNC 900 sends the RL Reconfiguration Prepare message from anRNSAP 902 on a line 904 to an RNSAP 906 of a D-RNC 908 with HOIndicator, and then an NBAP 910 of a Node B 912 receives the HOindication on a line 914 from an NBAP 916 of the D-RNC 908 and decides918 new POs and sends them back from the NBAP 910 to DRNC in an RLReconfiguration Ready message 920. After receiving same from the D-RNCRNSAP, the SRNC forward those POs to the UE on a line 930 using a properRRC message. And this whole procedure can be implemented in FP (FrameProtocol). I.e., SRNC can give the HO indication by control frame in FPand Node B will provide CQI PO, ACK PO and NACK PO in a control frame inFP. And also Node B can provide CQI PO, ACK PO and NACK PO with thiscontrol frame without SRNC's request.

When HSDPA is implemented CQI Power Offset, ACK Power Offset and NACKPower Offset signaling will be implemented as defined in thespecification. During HSDPA service, always UE and Node B shall havesame Power Offset (CQI, ACK and NACK) values. Therefore whenever HSDPAis implemented, this feature should be implemented.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to abest mode embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilledin the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions andadditions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method for use by a serving radio network controller of a radioaccess network, comprising: transmitting to a base station of said radioaccess network a radio interface parameter update message according to aframe protocol, said radio interface parameter update message having oneor more information elements indicative of one or more correspondingpower offsets including at least one of a channel quality indicatorpower offset, an acknowledge power offset, and a negative acknowledgepower offset, and transmitting to a user equipment device incommunication with said base station a radio resource control messageindicative of said one or more power offsets, wherein said one or morepower offsets are saved in said base station, and wherein said one ormore power offsets is used by said user equipment device in sendingfeedback information over a radio interface to said base station atpower levels adjusted according to said one or more power offsets. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting to said base station of saidradio interface parameter update message is repeated one or more times.3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting to said base station saidradio interface parameter update message comprises transmitting saidradio interface parameter update message from said serving radio networkcontroller to a drift radio network controller associated with said basestation, and wherein said radio interface parameter update message istransmitted by said drift radio network controller to said base station.4. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more power offsets areused in an uplink between a high speed dedicated physical controlchannel slot carrying hybrid automatic repeat request information and anassociated dedicated physical control channel.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein said hybrid automatic repeat request information is hybridautomatic repeat request acknowledge information.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein said channel quality indicator power offset is for use in anuplink between a high speed dedicated physical control channel slotcarrying channel quality information and an associated dedicatedphysical control channel.
 7. A method for use by a base station of aradio access network, comprising: receiving a radio interface parameterupdate message according to a frame protocol from a serving radionetwork controller of said radio access network directly or via a driftradio network controller, said radio interface parameter update messagehaving one or more information elements indicative of one or morecorresponding power offsets including at least one of a channel qualityindicator power offset, an acknowledge power offset, and a negativeacknowledge power offset, and saving said one or more correspondingpower offsets at said base station, wherein said one or more poweroffsets are used by a user equipment device in sending feedbackinformation over a radio interface to said base station at power levelsadjusted according to said one or more power offsets, and said one ormore power offsets are transmitted from said serving radio networkcontroller to said user equipment device in a radio resource controlmessage.
 8. An apparatus, comprising: a receiver, configured to receivea radio interface parameter update message according to a frame protocolfrom a serving radio network controller, said radio interface updatemessage having one or more information elements indicative of one ormore corresponding power offsets including at least one of a channelquality indicator power offset, an acknowledge power offset and anegative acknowledge power offset; and a memory device, configured tostore said one or more power offsets, wherein said one or more poweroffsets arc used by a user equipment device in sending feedbackinformation over a radio interface to said apparatus at power levelsadjusted according to said one or more power offsets, and said one ormore power offsets are transmitted from said serving radio networkcontroller to said user equipment device in a radio resource controlmessage.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said apparatus is anapplication part of a base station of a radio access network
 10. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein said information elements include aninformation element indicative of a power offset used in an uplinkbetween a high speed dedicated physical control channel slot carryinghybrid automatic repeat request information and an associated dedicatedphysical control channel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein saidhybrid automatic repeat request information is hybrid automatic repeatrequest acknowledge information.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinsaid information elements include an information element having achannel quality indicator indicative of power offset used in an uplinkbetween high speed dedicated physical control channel slot carryingchannel quality information and said associated dedicated physicalcontrol channel.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said radiointerface parameter update message is received from said serving radionetwork controller directly or via a drift radio network controller,and, in response thereto, said apparatus changes one or morecorresponding power offsets.
 14. An apparatus, configured to: transmitto a base station of a radio access network a radio interface parameterupdate message according to a frame protocol directly or via a driftradio network controller, said radio interface parameter update messagecomprising one or more information elements indicative of one or morecorresponding power offsets including at least one of a channel qualityindicator power offset, an acknowledge power offset and a negativeacknowledge power offset, and transmit to a user equipment device incommunication with said base station a radio resource control messageindicative of said one or more power offsets, wherein said one or morepower offsets are saved in said base station, and wherein said one ormore power offsets are used by said user equipment device in sendingfeedback information over a radio interface to said base station atpower levels adjusted according to said one or more power offsets.
 15. Acomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage mediumstoring program codes thereon for use by a serving radio networkcontroller, said program codes comprise: instructions for transmittingto a base station of said radio access network directly or via a driftradio network controller a radio interface parameter update messageaccording to a frame protocol, said radio interface parameter updatemessage having one or more information elements indicative of one ormore corresponding power offsets including at least one of a channelquality indicator power offset, an acknowledge power offset, and anegative acknowledge power offset, and instructions for transmitting toa user equipment device in communication with said base station a radioresource control message indicative of said one or more power offsets,wherein said one or more power offsets are saved in said base station,and wherein said one or more power offsets are used by said userequipment device in sending feedback information over a radio interfaceto said base station at power levels adjusted according to said one ormore power offsets.
 16. A computer program product comprising a computerreadable storage medium storing program codes thereon for use by a basestation of a radio access network, said program codes comprise:instructions for receiving a radio interface parameter update messageaccording to a frame protocol from a serving radio network controllerdirectly or via a drift radio network controller, said radio interfaceparameter update message having one or more information elementsindicative of one or more corresponding power offsets including at leastone of a channel quality indicator power offset, an acknowledge poweroffset, and a negative acknowledge power offset, and instructions forsaving said one or more corresponding power offsets at said basestation, wherein said one or more power offsets are used by a userequipment device in sending feedback information over a radio interfaceto said base station at power levels adjusted according to said one ormore power offsets, and said one or more power offsets are transmittedfrom said serving radio network controller to said user equipment devicein a radio resource control message.
 17. A method for use by a basestation of a radio access network, comprising: determining one or morepower offsets including at least one of a channel quality indicatorpower offset, an acknowledge power offset and a negative acknowledgepower offset, saving said one or more power offsets in said basestation, and sending a control message to a serving radio networkcontroller directly or via a drift radio network controller, saidcontrol message comprising one or more information elements indicativeof said one or more power offsets determined by said base station,wherein said one or more power offsets are used by a user equipmentdevice in sending feedback information over a radio interface to saidbase station at power levels adjusted according to said one or morepower offsets, and said one or more power offsets determined by saidbase station are transmitted by said serving radio network controller tosaid user equipment device.
 18. The method according to claim 17,further comprising receiving a request message from the serving radionetwork controller directly or via the drift radio network controller,said request message comprising a handover indication, wherein said oneor more power offsets are determined in response to said handoverindication.
 19. An apparatus, comprising: a processor, configured todetermine one or more power offsets including at least one of a channelquality indicator power offset, an acknowledge power offset and anegative acknowledge power offset; a memory device, configured to storesaid one or more power offsets, and a transmitter, configured totransmit a control message to a serving radio network controllerdirectly or via a drift radio network controller, said control messagecomprising one or more information elements indicative of said one ormore power offsets determined by said processor, wherein said one ormore power offsets are used by a user equipment device in sendingfeedback information over a radio interface to said apparatus at powerlevels adjusted according to said one or more power offsets, and saidone or more power are transmitted by said serving radio networkcontroller to said user equipment device.
 20. The apparatus according toclaim 19, further comprising a receiver configured to receive a requestmessage from the serving radio network controller directly or via thedrift radio network controller, said request message comprising ahandover indication, wherein said processor is configured to determinesaid one or more power offsets in response to said handover indication.21. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium storing program codes thereon for use by a basestation of a radio access network, said program codes comprise:instructions for determining one or more power offsets including atleast one of a channel quality indicator power offset, an acknowledgepower offset and a negative acknowledge power offset, instructions forsaving said one or more power offsets in said base station, andinstructions for sending a control message to a serving radio networkcontroller directly or via a drift radio network controller, saidcontrol message comprising one or more information elements indicativeof said one or more power offsets determined by said base station,wherein said one or more power offsets are used by a user equipmentdevice in sending feedback information over a radio interface to saidbase station at power levels adjusted according to said one or morepower offsets, and said one or more power offsets determined by saidbase station are transmitted by said serving radio network controller tosaid user equipment device.
 22. The computer program product accordingto claim 21, wherein said program codes further comprise instructionsfor receiving a request message from the serving radio networkcontroller directly or via the drift radio network controller, saidrequest message comprising a handover indication, wherein said one ormore power offsets are determined in response to said handoverindication.
 23. A method for use by a serving radio network controllerof a radio access network, comprising: receiving a control message froma base station directly or via a drift radio network controller, saidcontrol message comprising one or more information elements indicativeof one or more power offsets determined by said base station, said oneor more power offsets including at least one of a channel qualityindicator power offset, an acknowledge power offset and a negativeacknowledge power offset, and sending a radio resource control messageindicative of said one or more power offsets determined by said basestation to a user equipment device in communication with said basestation, wherein said one or more power offsets are used by said userequipment device in sending feedback information over a radio interfaceto said base station at power levels adjusted according to said one ormore power offsets.
 24. The method according to claim 23, furthercomprising: transmitting a request message to said base station directlyor via the drift radio network controller, said request messagecomprising a handover indication, wherein said one or more power offsetsare determined by the base station in response to said handoverindication.
 25. An apparatus, comprising: a receiver, configured toreceive a control message from a base station directly or via a driftradio network controller, said control message comprising one or moreinformation elements indicative of said one or more power offsetsdetermined by said base station, said one or more power offsetsincluding at least one of a channel quality indicator power offset, anacknowledge power offset and a negative acknowledge power offset, and atransmitter, configured to transmit a radio resource control messageindicative of said one or more power offsets determined by said basestation to a user equipment device in communication with said basestation, wherein said one or more power offsets are used by said userequipment device in sending feedback information over a radio interfaceto said base station at power levels adjusted according to said one ormore power offsets.
 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, therein thetransmitter is further configured to transmit a request message to saidbase station directly or via the drift radio network controller, saidrequest message comprising a handover indication, wherein said one ormore power offsets are determined by the base station in response tosaid handover indication.
 27. A computer program product comprising acomputer readable storage medium storing program codes thereon for useby a radio network controller of a radio access network, said programcodes comprise: instructions for receiving a control message from a basestation directly or via a drift radio network controller, said controlmessage comprising one or more information elements indicative of one ormore power offsets determined by said base station, said one or morepower offsets including at least one of a channel quality indicatorpower offset, an acknowledge power offset and a negative acknowledgepower offset, and instructions for transmitting a radio resource controlmessage indicative of said one or more power offsets determined by saidbase station to a user equipment device in communication with said basestation, wherein said one or more power offsets are used by said userequipment device in sending feedback information over a radio interfaceto said base station at power levels adjusted according to said one ormore power offsets.
 28. The computer program products according to claim27, wherein said program codes further comprise: instructions fortransmitting a request message to said base station directly or via thedrift radio network controller, said request message comprising ahandover indication, wherein said one or more power offsets aredetermined by the base station in response to said handover indication.